The smoke has just begun to clear from the fires, and now the crowds are coming.
RELATED: Labor Day: Which Bay Area beaches are open and closed?
Lance Waterhouse spent this morning enjoying a few last hours of solitude along an empty beach.
He know it won't be that way this Labor Day weekend.
"It was absolutely nuts. Really."
Lance was remembering Memorial Day weekend earlier this year, and pretty much every weekend since, with overflowing crowds splashing in the water, and COVID-19 tucked away deep in the recesses of their minds.
WATCH: Bay Area celebrates Memorial Day weekend despite COVID-19 pandemic
Bay Area practicing social distancing in heat this Memorial Day
Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman took one look that day, and gave up trying to contain his frustration.
"Look around. Social distancing is going out the door!"
"Are you concerned?" we asked.
"I am beyond concerned."
When we caught up with Baxman today, he amplified those sentiments. "We're concerned that outsiders coming in could bring something or spread it around."
Labor Day weekend, this year, arrives just as the region recovers from the Walbridge Fire and evacuations that pretty much emptied Guerneville. Now, residents return as the world drives in to join them.
RELATED: Stinson Beach open Labor Day weekend amid COVID-19 pandemic
It is a classic case of best times and bad situations. Locals know what's coming this weekend. But are they ready? The County has asked visitors to stay away.
"The moral imperative, here, is making sure people stay safe," said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who worries about crowds and already overworked first responders.
The reviews have been mixed among local business people.
"Politically, that was reasonable. Business-wise, not too much, I think," said Jeff Bridges, whose R3 Hotel sold out this weekend. Bridges and others note that summer is peak season. It's the time to recharge bank accounts following two years of floods, fires, evacuations and now Covid-19.
They need the money but not the bad behavior. So here comes the big weekend.
"I don't want them to go away because the economy thrives on it," said Bridges. "What I do want to see is decency and understanding."
"Is this a blessing or a curse?" we asked.
"Both. It's both."
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- Watch list: Counties where COVID-19 is getting worse
- MAP: Everything that's open, forced to close in Bay Area
- Everything to know about CA's confusing reopening plan, summer shutdown and what comes next
- From salons to dinner parties: Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- Life after COVID-19: Here's what restaurants, gyms will look like
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- Experts compare face shield vs. face mask effectiveness
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic